DCNA

Introduction

Caribbean islands are at the forefront of the climate crisis, with effects already starting to become noticeable in the region. Experts have warned, including in the recently released IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, that we have just ten years left to avert the worst climate impacts but that this will require decisive action, both in terms of adaptation and mitigation strategies. The Dutch Caribbean islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. People’s lives and livelihoods as well as most economic activities are located near coastal areas while the region’s unique nature is already under pressure from human impacts. This is compounded by the fact that, due to the island’s small geographic area and limited human capacity, the resilience to recover from disastrous events is low. As stewards of nature in the Dutch Caribbean the parks united in the DCNA see first hand how the changing climate is already affecting the islands.

Also available in Dutch: https://www.dcbd.nl/document/klimaat-actieplan-voor-het-nederlands-carib...

BioNews 51 - Dutch Caribbean Newsletter

BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. BioNews provides regular updates on science and nature projects as well as overviews of on-going research and monitoring efforts, long term projects, recent reports and publications.

In BioNews 51 you will find articles on:

• New beetles discovered in the Dutch Caribbean
• BirdsCaribbean Landbird Monitoring Workshop
• New study aids in sea urchin restoration efforts
• DCNA Launches Bionews Kids – A New Magazine to Empower Youth in the Dutch Caribbean
• Extra budget for nature in the Caribbean Netherlands
• Old Power Plant on Saba to be converted to Marine Research Station

You will also find up to date overviews of:

• Recent reports and publications
• Current research, monitoring and long term programs

You can sign-up here or send an email to research@DCNAnature.org and we will be happy to add you to our mailing list.

For previous versions, please check the BioNews archive

*This newsletter was published by DCNA and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).

During the 2019 edition of the DCNA Convention on Bonaire, biologists from local protected area management organizations including Aruba National Park Foundation, STINAPA Bonaire, Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire, CARMABI Curaçao, Saba Conservation Foundation, Sint Maarten Nature Foundation, STENAPA and CNSI of Sint Eustatius will be united on October 28th for a full day of workshops. The central focus of the workshops will be coral recovery, with insights from science and practices. The Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF-NL) will also be present. In addition to their participation in the other workshops, Arjan de Groene of WWF-NL will give a presentation on the Coral Action Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands and Joseph Stuefer from NWO will further elaborate on the upcoming call for scientific research proposals in the Dutch Caribbean.

Article published in BioNews 27

Results from a 2020 study highlight the interconnectivity between watershed areas and neighboring coral reefs on the island of Bonaire. This study provided evidence that coral reefs near areas with high erosion risk were more likely to show signs of deteriorating health than neighboring reefs. New emphasis on watershed-to-reef management will be critical for designing future conservation plans.

For more information, see the full report here: van der Geest, M., Meesters, E., Mücher, C.A. (2020). Impact of terrestrial erosion on coral reef health at Bonaire: a plea for nature-inclusive “watershed-to-reef” based coastal management. Wageningen University & Research report C055/20

Article published in BioNews 40

Researchers from Wageningen University and Research compiled thousands of photographs taken on Bonaire to analyze tourist activities and highlight the most common visited locations. Understanding the type of visitor and how they are using the space will help build targeted marketing and educational material to maximize conservation efforts for the island.

For more information you can read the full report here: Slijkerman, D., van der Wal, J.T., de Vries, P., Verweij, P. 2020. Tracking digital footprints in Bonaire’s landscapes. Wageningen University & Research report C052/20.

Article published in BioNews 40

It is with great and profound sadness that we have to say goodbye to Paul Hoetjes, a legend in nature conservation in the Dutch Caribbean and cofounder of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA). Paul Hoetjes passed away on the 13th of November 2020.

Article published in BioNews 40

BioNews is a newsletter produced by the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) which focuses on science and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean. BioNews provides regular updates on science and nature projects as well as overviews of on-going research and monitoring efforts, long term projects, recent reports and publications.

In BioNews 40 you will find articles on:

• In loving memory of Paul Hoetjes, a legend in nature conservation
• Bonaire 2050, a nature inclusive vision
• Adopt a proactive attitude towards nonnative Green iguana biosecurity
• Using Digital Footprints to Manage Conservation Efforts
• Watershed-to-Reef: New Approach for Coral Reef Management
• Diurnal reptile is found to be active during full moon

You will also find up to date overviews of:

• Recent reports and publications
• Current research, monitoring and long term programs

Download the full color version of BioNews 40 

You can sign-up here or send an email to research@DCNAnature.org and we will be happy to add you to our mailing list.

For previous versions, please check the BioNews archive

*This newsletter was published by DCNA and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).

Between 2008 and 2010, STINAPA Bonaire and volunteers took to counting Brown Booby seabirds along the northwestern coast of Bonaire. These numbers represent the first study of its kind in over 50 years and showed a slow increase in numbers since the establishment of the Washington Slagbaai National Park in 1969.

Article published in BioNews 39

Researchers from the Netherlands and Mexico studied three bays on Saint Martin to illustrate the ability of seagrass and algae fields to withstand hurricane level storms while continuing to dissipate energy and anchor sediments. Through field surveys, biomechanical measurements and computer simulations this project demonstrated the importance of coastal ecosystems in the protection of coastlines.

Article published in BioNews 39

Orbicella annularis is an important reef-building coral and an endangered species. Previous studies suggest it is also one of the most intensely grazed corals by parrotfishes in the Caribbean. Yet, the healing capacity of Caribbean corals from parrotfish predation scars remains poorly understood. In a recent study published in Coral Reefs, researchers from California Polytechnic State University monitored the healing of over 400 recent parrotfish predation scars on O. annularis colonies on the islands of St. Croix and Bonaire for up to two months in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Article published in BioNews 39